MUAR 211 Lecture Notes - Norse Mythology, Gesamtkunstwerk, Soundscape
13 Mar 2013
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Document Summary
Many specific varieties & styles of opera but break down into 2 basic types (serious. & comic: opera seria (italian) + grand opera (french) = genres of serious opera, opera buffa (italian) + opera comique (french) = genres of comic opera, only french opera comique used spoken dialogue. Giuseppe verdi (1813-1901: dominant opera composer in italy for 50 years after donizetti & true italian national hero, preferred librettos based on successful plays/novels many of historical topics. Italian composer: most known for operas, regarded as most important, influential & beloved italian composer after. Verdi librettos of puccini"s operas often based on popular contemporary novels & plays: some operas demonstrate late 19th-century fascination with realism & therefore feature fairly realistic & contemporary characters of all social classes, actively sought authentic japanese melodies. Bel canto: beautiful singing; term often associated with singing style of 19th century.
